Wilmington

This morning's "Did You Know?" trivia focuses on Saturn and the environment. Saturn was concerned with how its cars affect the environment throughout the car's lifetime -- from design, to manufacture, to use by owners, to final disposal.

Fisker Automotive has selected the former GM/Saturn Wilmington Assembly plant in Wilmington, Delaware to build affordable plug-in hybrid cars. Fisker executives made the announcement inside the dormant facility yesterday, joined by Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware Governor Jack Markell and other state officials. The plant will support Fisker Automotive's Project NINA, the development and build of an affordable, family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan costing about $39,900 after federal tax credits.

Andrew Eder from the Delaware News Journal: At least three auto companies have toured the empty Boxwood Road assembly plant near Newport in a bid by the governor's economic development team to revive the state's moribund manufacturing sector. Delaware is competing against suitors in Michigan and other Midwestern states where the American auto industry has cut back production leaving dozens of abandoned auto plants. Access to foreign markets through the Port of Wilmington and a commitment to green technology could help Delaware revive a 62-year legacy of building cars that ended when General Motors closed Boxwood in July.

Andrew Eder from the Delaware News Journal: Today marks the last day of production at General Motors' Boxwood Road assembly plant. The 62-year-old factory near Newport was a victim of the automaker's restructuring that has claimed tens of thousands of jobs and will close or idle 14 plants in the next three years.

Maureen Milford from the Wilmington News Journal via USA Today: Joe Trincia, 51, of Bear, Delaware, returns Monday to his job at the General Motors auto-assembly plant just as he's done countless times since he was a 19-year-old kid lucky enough to land a decent-paying manufacturing job. But this will be his last recall.

As expected, GM filed for bankruptcy protection this morning in a New York based Bankruptcy Court. Fritz Henderson, GM's CEO, told reporters that "Our agreement with the U.S. Treasury and the governments of Canada and Ontario will create a leaner, quicker more customer-and completely product-focused company, one that's more cost competitive and has a competitive balance sheet. This new GM will be built from the strongest parts of our business, including our best brands and products."

In a morning press conference, GM's President and CEO, Fritz Henderson, updated the media on the state of the financially tapped company. He also added another interesting twist to the ongoing Saturn saga. According to Consumer Reports, "Henderson said GM would entertain offers on Saturn manufacturing plants and models in addition to the dealer and distribution network."

A few weeks ago, in another episode of "Flashback Friday," I posted some not-so-well-known Saturn trivia bits. Folks seemed to enjoy taking a look back at Saturn while testing their knowledge of both the company and cars of yesterday. As a result of the feedback, I've compiled another list of "Did You Know?" Saturn trivia facts for your viewing pleasure.

General Motors' Boxwood Assembly Plant in Wilmington, Delaware will be eliminating the third shift at the facility beginning April 14th. The plant builds the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice roadsters, as well as the Opel GT and Daewoo G2X, which are exported for sale in Europe and Korea, respectively.

Random Article from the SaturnFans.com Archives

This week's look back in time comes courtesy of the Internet Archive's Way Back Machine. Saturn.com has come a long way since those early days on the Web. Above is a screenshot taken from the owner photo page on Saturn's website circa 1997-98. Back then, the site was primarily split in two parts highlighting different aspects of the company's corporate initiatives and Saturn's 1998 model year cars.